Benzyl benzoate and midges - Repellent or just a soother?

Spyda

Spyda

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 October 2005
Messages
5,148
Location
U.K.
Visit site
My mare is being bitten to death around her teats and umblical region. I have been spraying her thoroughly twice a day with a Cider Vinegar and Citronella oil mix but this morning I bathed off lots of dead midges from around her umbilical area (stuck on her hair) and there was swelling from there back towards her teats along her mid-belly line. The midges are still biting her there and causing a reaction. I applied Benzyl benzoate after I'd cleaned her but was wondering if this works as a repellent or just as a soother?

Normally I'd apply something like Udder Cream, Sudocreme or something thick and stickly to stop the midges settling but this mare intensely dislikes the application around her teats and rear belly area and it's just not worth upsetting her daily nor risking a kick. I've got Cooper which I apply just around her head and ears as it's blinking expensive, but last year I did try applying it once a day in a light spray bottle but it still didn't deter the spring midges from landing and biting.

I ask about the Benzyl benzoate working as a deterent as when I applied it this morning (using the Coopers flat sponge) she didn't mind too much. I guess it was soothing. Will this work against the midges or do I still need to find an effective midge repellent for 'down there'?

PS: I do have Deosect for the other horses but even at very dilute levels this particular mare comes out in hives so this isn't an option for her. *Scratches head*
 
Last edited:
Think I got hold of some from chemistdirect once if hyperdrug don't have it. Its the only thing I've found that works as a repellent, I get through about 1litre between now and october-ish.
 
Benzyl benzoate is an insecticide. I also have a sensitive mare, so much so that when I got complacent at the start of the second summer I had her, she double barrelled me and got both my thighs, due my dopey self forgetting how much she'd resented cold cream on her bits at the start of the previous season!!

What I do is make up a mix of Neem Oil and BB (10%) and leave it out, so that the sun catches it. I apply it late afternoon, when the mix has warmed up. If it's a cooler day, I pour it onto a brush and apply that way as it's less of a shock.

Don't apply BB to irritated skin, though - it'll burn. Use sudocrem for this. I rub some onto my hands to warm it first and than almost scratch her teats to apply it. She's much more accepting of that!
 
My pale skinned appy has the same problem with his sheath. The midges bite it causing dots of blood all over and it swells up.

I have tried lots of things - this year I am using Sudocreme so far it seems fine. He hates me doing it and so I have to make sure I warm it up properly before applying it.

Sorry OP, think it is just a case of warming whatever you use and doing it as quickly as possible. We are on our third year of this, sometimes he waves a leg at me and sometimes goes as though to bite. The first year he really did kick and mean it and bit!

A word of warning, I used Neem oil which worked brilliantly, BUT, it made his sheath peel alarmingly and then he got very funny about me using anything (unsurprisingly!). But he is hyper sensitive.
 
Just ordered a bottle of Benzyl benzoate from Hyperdrug. Whats the best way to apply it, never used it before but willing to try anything to give my old boy some relief.
 
I'll have a look when I get to the farm later cos I got some from a chemists under a brand name once it stopped being available.
Sisco- I apply with an old soft haired body or face brush to rub into mane/tail or coat. Just gets absorbed into sponges, round udders I use a cut up old sheet balled up like a cloth. Never had one with severe probs tho so someone else may have a better idea.
 
Thanks littlelegs I'll try using a soft brush when it comes, do you just apply it to the areas that are usually affected which in his case are just his mane and tale.
 
That's the only place on mine, I just tip a bit on the brush & rub it into the base of her mane & tail. Covering their coat is more what I've done for sweet itch.
 
Benzyl is the best thing since sliced bread for itchy/sweet-itch horses!!!! :D :D

I use it every year on my horse who gets a bit itchy on tail and mane, I managed to stock pile several bottles before apparently EU banned it. I think someone said you can get it via the vet or maybe internet, any suggestions would also be gratefully received.
 
anniearab said:
I get mine from here
http://mistralni.co.uk/catalogue/product/498/Benzyl-Benzoate-BP
it's 99.8% pure so dilute to strength you want (I use 20% mixture in baby or pig oil for SI) works out soooo much cheaper :-) last lot was £56 delivered for 5 litres but there are smaller amounts on their website too.
Click to expand...

Blimey, that's a lot cheaper for the concentrated stuff than here!!! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Benzyl-Be...Equipment_Lab_Supplies_ET&hash=item5add319bd9

£70 for 500ml??? :eek: I thought it was a typo, but apparently x18 have been sold already! :D
 
Never had much sucess with benzoyl benzoate it's only mediocre in its action ( on people too hence it's no longer readily available in pharmacys ) find nettex itch stop much better it's expensive to buy but you really do only have to apply it once a week so a tub goes a long way and totally keeps the midges away.
 
My mare and gelding both suffer on teats and sheath area. I have had very good results by using the Snuggy SI bodies with the sheath/teat cover they also sell. You need to ask them to adjust the body to take the cover when you buy one.

I keep two sheath covers as they need to be rinsed daily and given a good wash every three days. I take it off daily and dip in a bucket of mild dettol and rinse round wring out and replace.

If you have a horse that suffers in this area or does not like cream applied then this is worth looking at.
 
lannerch said:
Never had much sucess with benzoyl benzoate it's only mediocre in its action ( on people too hence it's no longer readily available in pharmacys ) find nettex itch stop much better it's expensive to buy but you really do only have to apply it once a week so a tub goes a long way and totally keeps the midges away.
Click to expand...

Re: Nettex Itch Stop, I've got that too but it's thick and sticky so I can't apply it to the areas I need to as she resents anything rubbed on. Plus, I used some on the top of her tail last year (where she gets itchy) and it made her tail look dreadful; all gooped up and gunky. That said, a lot of people really rate the stuff so it's worth it if the horse lets you apply it and you're not showing or anything.
 
For years i've used various branded fly repelants and tbh none have really worked that well or been cost effective - the best one I found (branded) was leovett Power Phaser but it's expensive.

Last night however, I was out for a hack with a friend, (in an area full of midges/fleas) and she makes her own with benzo and a range of essential oils and other stuff I can't remember. It worked fantastically we werent bothered by the great scottish midge at all. she did say that it seams to soothe as well as repel (but this could be becoz of the oils she uses). so it's a thumbs up for benzo from me.
 
x-di-x said:
For years i've used various branded fly repelants and tbh none have really worked that well or been cost effective - the best one I found (branded) was leovett Power Phaser but it's expensive.

Last night however, I was out for a hack with a friend, (in an area full of midges/fleas) and she makes her own with benzo and a range of essential oils and other stuff I can't remember. It worked fantastically we werent bothered by the great scottish midge at all. she did say that it seams to soothe as well as repel (but this could be becoz of the oils she uses). so it's a thumbs up for benzo from me.
Click to expand...

Which essential oils did she add? I've got Citronella and Tea Tree but these mixed with Cider Vinegar don't appear to be having much effect against the dreaded midge bites. Does your friend add any other oils to her BB concoction? I'd be interested in trying it if I can find out the recipe :)
 
I'm not 100% sure but she did mention peppermint and citronella oh and lavender I will find out but I won't see her till the weekend as about to head off to work but will update at the weekend (if she'll share :) )
 
For those who just need to do mane and tail, I usually get an old washing-up liquid bottle, with the squirty top, and use 1 part BB to 2 parts water so it's nice and runny, then use the nozzle to dribble it down the mane/tail, rubbing in as I go. Makes it last ages, saves waste, and usually every other day/3 days seems to be sufficient.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top